MPV PRINCIPLES

COLLECTIVE IDENTITY

While we accept as Muslim anyone who identifies as such, the veracity and integrity of that claim is between the individual and God, and is not a matter for the state nor an issue which other individuals can or should judge. We welcome all Muslim and Non-Muslims who share our belief in a world where each person has value and deserves respect.

EQUALITY

We affirm the equal worth of all human beings, regardless of race, sex, gender, gender identification, ethnicity, nationality, creed, sexual orientation, or ability. We are committed to work toward societies that ensure social, political, educational, and economic opportunities for all.

SEPARATION OF RELIGIOUS AND STATE AUTHORITIES

We believe that freedom of conscience is not only essential to all human societies but integral to the Qur’anic view of humanity. We believe that secular government is the only way to achieve the Islamic ideal of freedom from compulsion in matters of faith.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

We support non-violent forms of expression and freedom of dissent, and believe no one should be prosecuted, imprisoned, detained, or persecuted for exercising their right to free expression in ethical and law-abiding manners. We simultaneously rebuke expressions and narratives of discrimination and bigotry, hate speech, and incitement to violence, and affirm that the rights to free expression and freedom of religion or belief cannot be invoked to justify such narratives.

UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS

We are committed to social, economic and environmental justice. We believe that the full self-realization of all people, in a safe and sustainable world, is a prerequisite for freedom, civility, and peace. We support efforts and policies for universal health care, public education, dismantling structural anti-Black racism, the protection of our environment, and the eradication of poverty.

GENDER justice

We support women’s agency and self-determination in every aspect of their lives. We believe in women’s full participation in society, economically, politically and socially, at every level. We are committed to reproductive justice and empowering women to make healthy decisions regarding their bodies, sexuality, gender identity, and reproduction.

LGBTQI INCLUSION

We support full equality and inclusion of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, in society and in the Muslim community. We are committed to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We proudly advocate for the human and civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQIA+) individuals.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

We believe that critical thinking is essential to spiritual and social development. We promote interpretations that reflect traditional Qur’anic principles of inclusiveness, mercy, compassion, and fairness. We call for critical engagement with Islamic scripture, traditional jurisprudence in current Muslim discourses and denounce those who would persecute those who engage in critical dialogue as heretics or apostates.

COMPASSION

We affirm that justice and compassion should be the guiding principles for all aspects of human conduct. We repudiate the use of violence whether on an individual, organizational, and/or national level.

DIVERSITY

We embrace pluralism and the diversity of inspirations that motivate people to embrace justice. From our local communities to our international coalitions, we affirm that one’s belief system is not the exclusive source of truth. We engage with a diversity of philosophical, spiritual and non-spiritual traditions to pursue a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.

• MPV Principles in English

• MPV Principles in Arabic – ﻣﺴﻠﻤﻮن ﺑﻘﯿﻢ ﻣﻌﺎﺻﺮة

• MPV Principles in Dutch –  MPV Principes

• MPV Principles in French – Principes Fondamentaux MPF

• MPV Principles in Italian – Principi dei Musulmani per i Valori Progressisti

• MPV Principles in Spanish – Principios de Musulmanes por Valores Progresivos

• MPV Principles in Swahili – Kanuni Zetu (kwa Kiswahili)

• MPV Principles in Bengali

• MPV Principles in Portuguese - Princípios MPV

Please note the translations of our principles are based off an older version. That said, the values are still the same, just not as accurate. We welcome expert volunteers in the respective languages to help us update the translations. If you are interested in helping us to translate the principles, please reach out to us at info@mpvusa.org.

We appreciate the interest in our principles and we encourage you to share it.
However we do request that you do let us know of your intent.
(c) 2012 No reproduction of these principles is allowed without MPV’s written permission. Thank you.